BCM World Conference and Exhibition

The inaugural BCM World Conference and Exhibition opened for registration on 11th November with a distinct buzz of excitement as delegates made their way into the exhibition hall for their first chance to meet exhibitors who included:

Continuity Shop, Vega Consulting Services Ltd, DNV, GemaTech, GlaxoSmithKline, CPA (Software) Ltd, Security Risk Management Ltd, Capital Continuity, Marsh (Gold Sponsor), SunGard Availability Services, Civil Contingencies Secretariat, Crisis Solutions, Vocal , Community Resilience, LRQA (Silver Sponsor), Airmic, F-24 UK Limited, Quantar Solutions, BELFOR, Continuity2, Garrison Continuity, 4C Strategies, Solcara, LINK Associates International, BSI, Groupcall, Applied Satellite Technology, COOP Systems, First Group, SmartDesk Systems Ltd, BT Conferencing and Polycom, Steelhenge Consulting, ISC2, Mind Your IT, Ascure and BCM Academy, Ear Productions, BCI and Continuity Magazine, NonVerba and Continuity Solutions, Training Scenarios Ltd, PageOne, Enera and the Risk Federation.

The Conference was attended by almost 350 delegates from over 20 countries who listened to plenary presentations on topics including swine flu, identity theft and the cyber crisis, supply chain resilience and sustainability, and the Civil Contingencies Act and the Pitt Review. In addition to the plenary sessions were three streams which the delegates attended depending on their interests and experience level: Fundamentals of BCM, BCM in Action and Strategic BCM. Topics covered during the streams included: BCM governance, programme management, developing strategies, supply chain, emergency management, enterprise risk management, human aspects, globalisation, resilience, testing and exercising, and standards. These presentations were delivered by both members and non-members of the BCI, some of whom you may recognise: Gary Clarke MBCI, Abdulrahman Alonaizan MBCI, Andy Tomkinson MBCI, William Byrne MBCI, Heinz-Dieter Schmelling AMBCI, Chris Needham-Bennett MBCI, Henry Ee FBCI, Dennis Flynn MBCI, Wolfgang Mahr MBCI and Alex Fullick MBCI.

Meanwhile, visitors to the exhibition were able to meet with the exhibitors of their choice and discuss their needs and the options available face to face. They also had the opportunity to attend the vendor showcasing taking place on the exhibition floor which covered themes such as communication strategies, BS25999, cyber crime, disaster recovery, pandemic preparedness and supply chain risk management. Also on the exhibition floor and free to attend were presentations from BCM practitioners on topics including social distancing in a pandemic, standards, embedding BCM in the culture, BCM and sustainability and evacuation procedures.

The first day concluded with the Gala Dinner, preceded by pre-dinner drinks and rounded off with a performance by ‘the world’s funniest trio’ Pluck, before guests made their way to the casino, the dance floor or the bar for the rest of the evening. During the dinner the BCI’s new Gifted Grade and Awards were handed out to the following:

• Honorary FBCI - Chris Green FBCI, HBOS
• Honorary MBCI - Bruce Mann, Civil Contingencies Secretariat and Mike Osborne, ICM
• BCI Achievement Award - John Hele and Dave Adamson, BSI
• BCI Merit Award - Dr Edgar Frank MBCI, Area Rep for Malaysia, Bill Hannan MBCI, Australia Chapter and Geoff Howard, Continuity Shop
  
  

Click here to read Nigel Allen, Editor of Continuity Magazine, review some of the presentations from the Conference, including the highlight, Bob Geldof.